Four-star general delivers lecture in Harrogate

PHOTOGRAPHER: Cpl Michael Strachan''Pictured: Visit of 4 Star US Army General to Army Foundation College Harrogate''NOTES: Junior soldiers undergoing the first stages of their training at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, were given a real surprise when a four-star American General interrupted their day.'General Robert B. 'Abe' Abrams took time out from his busy schedule on a visit to the college to watch them conducting physical training, conducting command tasks and marching on the parade ground.'At each post he took the opportunity to talk to the soldiers and expressed his delight that they had decided on a career in the British Army and the job they were doing was really important for the nation.'The General who is the 22nd Commander of U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) had been visiting the College to present his Kermit Roosevelt lecture, one of a series of four annual lectures delivered to the British Army by a US General.'The lecture was entitled 'Surge Ready&Rotationally Focu

Published:11:24Wednesday 11 May 2016

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The head of the US Army recently delivered a powerful lecture to a packed audience of British Army commanders from throughout the North of England at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

Four-star General Robert B “Abe” Abrams who is the 22nd Commander of US Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) to present his Kermit Roosevelt lecture, one of a series of four annual lectures delivered to the British Army by a US General.

The lecture - Surge Ready…Rotationally Focused - covered FORSCOM’s mission and the US Army’s role in an uncertain world.

He also concentrated on questions and a discussion about leadership, with an emphasis on the mastery of fundamentals and teamwork in the Decisive Action Training Environment (DATE).

At the conclusion of the lecture he said: “I am very thankful for Mrs Belle Roosevelt and her efforts to honour her husband by establishing the Kermit Roosevelt Lecture Series.

“This trip has been fantastic and has embodied her desire to foster a better understanding between the United States and United Kingdom’s Armies.

“The engagements we’ve had have left an impression on me and something I will cherish. My hope is that continued activities like this will help our long standing relationship between close friends endure, especially for the younger generation that has served together in harm’s way.

“We have shared blood and treasure over our long history and our special relationship is absolutely critical to the security of our nations.”

Before leaving the college General Abrams toured some of the facilities and met some of the junior soldiers while conducting PT exercises, carrying out command tasks and fired several rounds on the dismounted close combat trainer.